The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-13
THE'SALE OF THE MAROONS.
The League Purchases the Club and Will
Transfer 1t to Indianapolis.
Contradictory Reports from Different Sources
Regarding the Sale-The Terms Upon
Which Indianapolis Will Be Admitted.

Base ball circles were greatly excited yester
day by the conflicting reports in regard to the
much talked-of sale of the st. Louis franchise.
The report which was given most credence,
from the fact that it was in accordance with the
anticipations of the indianapolis gentlemen, was
that through the agency of Mr.. Ben Fine, a
well-known railroad official, negotiations had
been concluded whereby the League pool will
pay Strombere $4,000 for the franchise of the
Maroons, and then dispose of it to Indianapolis
for about $1,000. The other was that the
franchise had been purchased by the
Kansas City club but. although this was siren
uouely denied by President Stromberg and Sec
rotary Sphinx, dispatches from Kansas City con-
frmed this report very emphatically. Accord
ing to these dispatches Denny goes to New York
and Glasscock to Chicago, and the rest of the
players to Kansas City. This rumor was, like
one of Friday, discredited That it is wholly
out Of the question for Kansas City to be ad-
mitted, since the passage Of the ;nterstate-com-
merce bill, was conceded even by those interested
in the transfer Of the Maroon franchise to that
city. The stretch from Kansas City to Chicago
is too great and it is, the effort of the League
is to keep the circuit in as small territory as
possible, so as to reduce the travelling expenses
of the clubs
President Merzes, Of the Kansas City club,
was in St Louis, and made desperate effort to
purchase some of the Maroon players, but was
unsuccessful, as tie Leagues programme is to
drop the Kansas City club ct its meeting in
March,
The subscription committee resumed its
efforts yesterday. and succeeded in getting as
stockholders II. p. Wasson Newton Ciaypool,
c. W. Fairbanks. W. G. Vaien, John Huegele,
S. c. Hau;hey, A. G. Ovens and ". T. Elliott
The s.. Louis Republican Of yesterday says
that Mr. Stromberg received telegram from
Ben Fine, who was in Chicago. saying that he
| had disposed of the Maroon franchise and play
| ers for 900. Mr.. Fines telegram did not say
| 70 whom the sale had been made but it is under
stood it was not to Kansas City. 1t is also
stated by that paper that the League managers
have pooled and purchased the franchise with
| the intention Of transferring it to In
dianapolis. representative of the Kan
sas City club went to Chicago with
Mr.. Fine, and no doubt tried to secure the fean-
chise for Kansas City, but as the League has its
| mind set against that city the effort was una
| vailing. In making this sale" says the Repub-
| lican, cit was not necessary for Mr.. Stromberg
| to consult any of the other stockholders regard
ing it, as he held the majority of the stock sold
! and consequently could do as he pleased with
tho club He had received an offer from Kansas
City some time ago of $l5. 900, and was ready to
make the transfer, bit could not do
so without informing the League
| authorities. Not knowing that they
would make any attempt at bid he sent Mr.
| Fine to Chicago accompanied by Kansas City
representative, and supposed these two could ar
range matters satisfactorily with Mr.. Spsld-
ing. After two days silence, during which time
Mr. Stromberg heard nothing from Mr.. Fine, he
knew there had been wrangle, ard anxiously
waited for word, which came last night. Indian